The Washington critic., 1887-06-21
AT The THEATRES.

THE NATtoSAt-"A NIGHT IN vEStCE.h
That pleasing theme, the Venetian
carnival, with its network Of plots by
young people to give watchful guardians
the slip, is employed with charming effect
by Strauss In "a Night IN Venice" The
composition is full Of bright music, some
OF the concerted numbers being unusually
taking. VIM. Fitzgerald made his first ap.
pearance last might 10 the part OF Cdramclio,
barber TO the duke. The character Is that
Of handsome, rattle.braned fellow, whose
sole genius is for love making and shaving,
Mr.. Fitzgerald's pleasing performance OF
the role makes up for the slight vocal de-
fects which might be pointed out Wm. +.
lruette sang the leading part, the Duke Of
trLiH0, in thoroughly satisfactory man.
ntr. His lmpersonatlon was somewhat
marred by all evident want OF familiarity
with his lines In the dialogue
passages. Joseph s.. GreenstelIcr
as idppac0ia, the maccaronl cook, gave an
excellent execution Of the part, his strong
bass coming out to marked advantage iu
several instances. Miss Helen Won Don
hon as Ci5Olettd was the leading figure
among the ladies, and succeeded In beiug
awkward and charming at the same time.
Niles Marie Greenwood, who sang the part
OF barbara, has somewhat weak voice
under excellent control. She gave the Alb
bott lung-tester, consisting Of a comblna-
tion of spasmodic trlls and long notes, IN
manner that brought down the house. These
vocal tricks always seem to please, notwth-
standing the fact that they usually bear
something OF the same relation TO an opera
that local gag does to play. The com
poser didn't want them there, but the pub.
lie does. Miss Clara Lane was COED as
IHiHd, the fisher maid. The other parts
were well sung and well enacted, making
on the whole u very smooth and attractive
performance.
ALBAuGn's-"LA BELLE HELENE"
"La Belle Helene" was very favoraby re-
ceived at Albaugh's last night. Notwiih-
standing the extreme heat which prevailed
during the day,th auditoriumwasq quite com
Portable, and the only protest heard concern
ing heat was the occasional rustic Of some
lady's fan. The "Belle Helene" of OfTerbach
and the "Bele Helenen of the Washington
Opera Company differ materially In num-
bet OF points. The tendency toward
naughtiness which seems to have always
beset that witty composer was given full
sway when he wrote this opera for the
ParisiaDs. 1t has been reinodeled for the
American public until It is almost as re-
lgiously proper as the yeriest Puritan could
ask. The "Helene" so hatteringy de-
tCIlutu III tne lillc 10 tut 1ytuOlOBlChl
beauty OF Greece. The character there
fore makes rigid demands on its
impersonator as to face and figure,
and Miss Letitia Frltch assumed 1t in
manner that disappointed no one. The
plot gives eycelleHt opportunity for bur-
lesQue work by introducing numerous old
Grecian dignitaries. The performance Of
Mr.. Solomon as MeuclduS, might be I'm
proved II he would remember that colo
IN ttrat ata al
dom add to the humor of a comedy part
Mr.. Solomon is quite favorite here, which
fact, was attested by his reception last
night VIM. Broderick is always good, and
1t is therefore unnecessary to comment on
his performance. Charles Campbell's sing
ing as Paris, was much Of an improvement
on his efforts Of last week. Walter Allan
as CdicluS, and Rose Leighton as OreStiS.
were also good. The music OF "La Belle
Helene" is characteristic of its composer,
and as natural consequence thoroughly
pleasing to the public.